Don’t Use Paracetamol for a Fever

Don’t Use Paracetamol for a Fever

I hope you’ve been enjoying these past few glorious sunshine days. We’ve had t-shirt weather in the day and frosts at night. Brilliant.

I’m in the school holiday shifting currents of work and mama. The roles get very mixed, and I’m often working later in the evening. Helena hasn’t been feeling well, and we’ve been having some broken nights’ sleep. Regardless of what’s on at work, mothering comes first, and work waits- hence the evening release of this week’s magazine.

Support for mothering is a tricky thing to come by, but this week’s guest contributor is Dr. Sarah Farrant DC, founder and CEO of Vital Moms, a site dedicated to giving mums information and resources to support family health. Sarah is a unique and powerful advocate for health. This global messenger calls Waiheke Island home, and I am delighted to introduce her to you.

Dr. Sarah is fantastically motivated, speaking worldwide in her calling to give people skills for wellness. In her article she tackles the topic that ranks right up there for scary situations for our children: the fever. I think you’ll find her information powerfully presented, and possibly unsettling, because what she is saying does not dovetail with our current medical culture. I’ll be interested to hear what you think.

In Check it Out Dr. Sarah offers you access to her e-zine, value $97. Very cool!

Did I have fun seeing the names that make you feel loved?!! You guys made my week. Yes, I loved them, every one. See From You for the list of all the names you sent, as well as the winners of Leanne’s soaps.

Wishing you a great week! With love, Bex (the name that makes me feel loved)

Don’t Use Paracetamol for a Fever

Dr. Sarah Farrant

Many people are brought up to believe fevers are a sign of sickness rather than a signal of health.

Let’s take a closer look.

A well known newspaper in New Zealand‚ The New Zealand Herald‚ had an article heading last year which read‚ “Don’t Use Paracetamol for Fever” when I read it I was celebrating. This is something I have been saying for decades, yes decades and those before me have been saying it for longer. A fever can be worrying to many parents, I hear that, and it is one of the most common reasons parents seek medical advice.

The New Zealand Herald article said‚ a respectful group [Wellington based Medical Research Institute] has recommended not using paracetamol and several other drugs to reduce flu-related fever, saying they may increase the risk of death. This is obviously in stark contrast to the World Health Organizations stance on fevers and also in contrast to the NZ Ministry of Health’s stance which says‚ take drugs that relieve pain and fever e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen‚ Even The Lancet, one of the most respected and well known medical journals suggests fevers are rarely dangerous and if dangerous are usually a result of pre-existing neurological abnormality.

The Wellington based Medical Research Institute also said‚ there is strong evidence the high temperature that can be caused by influenza helps the body to control the virus. The Institutes program director added, we would say there’s no benefit of treating a fever with paracetamol and there’s potential harm in terms of making the illness worse or longer. So our recommendation would be not to treat a fever.

Fevers are complex and extraordinary in and of themselves. They are instigated, when required, by the body to mount‚ an immune to something the body has recognised as foreign‚ how masterful! The innate intelligence of the body, via the nerve system and a series of intricate feedback loops, slowly increases the body’s core temperature eventually reaching a peak (boiling point), so as to sterilise‚ the environment. This promotes the growth of a child.

I have noted in my own children and those I serve in my practice, that fevers are created more frequently in the 0-7 year age group than at any other age. At this age children are in their physical body and thus are undergoing the most physical growth; fevers play a role in this growth. It is interesting to observe what happens past the boiling point of a fever. The part I look forward to is how they choose to instigate the growth in their life. In my three children I have noticed the following changes at different times: height, dexterity, co-ordination, speed, different foods, new words, move on from friends and bring new ones in, sleep patterns, independence and so forth. It is such a gift to be able to witness these changes.

Dr Andrew Adesman, a board certified medical doctor in pediatrics wrote in his book that fevers do not need to be treated with acetaminophen. And on the 28th February 2011, The American Academy of Pediatrics 4; stated the following about fevers and fever phobia. Fever is a physiological mechanism that has beneficial effects in fighting infection. Although many parents administer antipyretics (medications to reduce a fever) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to a child to reduce a fever, the report emphasizes that the primary goal should be to help the child feel more comfortable, rather than to maintain a normal temperature.

In my book The Vital Truth: Accessing the Possibilities of Unlimited Health 5, I dedicate a whole chapter to your body and its magnificence so you can see the intricate and incredible intelligence that lives within. See Chapter 18: The Magnificent You.

I’d like to leave you with these health reminders about fevers:

1) Ask yourself why has my child created this fever? What growth opportunity are they creating? If old enough, ask your child you will be amazed at the responses they share.

2) Remind yourself that a fever is an innate response.

3) View the fever as a signal that your child’s immune system is functioning properly.

4) Acetaminophen, paracetamol or ibuprofen defeats the innate intended purpose of a fever and in fact can be harmful.

5) Fevers are rarely dangerous. If dangerous however says an article in The Lancet2 (vol. 372 August 9, 2008) it’s usually because of a pre-existing neurological abnormality.

A fever uses your child’s neurological pathways to mount it’s response to something that is foreign. It makes sense then to make sure there are no road blocks along the pathway which may prevent this mounted response from being instigated by your child’s body for growth and adaptation to their life.

Dr. Sarah Farrant DC

Sarah Farrant is the tell it like it is, no fluff, mentor to moms. She is the founder and CEO of www.VitalMoms.com and is dedicated to helping parents step off the treatment merry-go-round by giving them a new way to approach their own and their children’s health. Today she supports, mentors, and educates thousands of parents globally. She is also a global selling and award winning author of The Vital Truth and has recently emerged as one of the foremost thought leaders on health sharing stages with Dr Joe Mercola, Bob Harper (from the biggest Loser), Dr Joe Dispenza (from the movie ‚ what the bleep‚ fame), Suzanne Arms, Ina May Gaskin, Dr Bruce Lipton, Dr Guy Riekeman and many more. She has extensive education in teaching, psychology and general science in addition to her Doctor of Chiropractic and has clocked up 25 years in the health industry. From being a member of the Australian Rowing Team to training world champions, to now traveling up to 5 months of the year globally, to present her unique understanding of vitalistic health.

Sarah has authored books, e-books, reports, articles and been interviewed on radio and TV and by numerous print media. She has three children, all home birthed, non vaccinated, non medicated the last of which was a breech birth. She is married to Dr Randall Farrant.

Check it Out

If you liked this article there are lots more at www.VitalMoms.com #1 Place For Smart Health Choices For Your Family! As a valued member of It’s Not about the Bugs, Vital Moms is giving you a F/REE (value $97) subscription to our monthly ezine full of news, health tips and recommendations to assist you and your family in approaching health differently.

p.s.

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